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How the Electoral College Works

Every state has a certain number of electoral votes, based on its number of representatives in Congress. Big states like California have more votes (55) than small states like Delaware (3).

The votes cast at the polls on Election Day are known as the popular vote. The candidate who wins a state's popular vote receives all of its electoral votes.

In December, the people in each state chosen as electors go to the state's capitol to officially cast their electoral votes for their state's winning candidate. In January, the total is read before Congress.